Hugo Ekitiké (23), a striker for Liverpool, acknowledged the influence of Ousmane Dembélé (28) on his own level of play. Interviewed by Téléfoot, he explained that the high pressing standards set by Dembélé during his time at Paris Saint-Germain last season now lead his current coach, Arne Slot, to be very demanding of him at the club. This shows respect—and puts pressure on him—demonstrating that the Dembélé model transcends borders.
Ekitiké: “They’re really pushing me at the club”
“My coach (Arne Slot, ed.) loves him. With the pressing standards he set last year, they’re really pushing me at the club (laughs). He’s taken his game to another level; he’s a tricky player, technically very gifted, he can do almost everything. That’s why people are talking about him today as the main contender for the Ballon d’Or.”
Last season, Ousmane Dembélé was one of the symbols of Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain. Beyond his already impressive attacking statistics, it was his work off the ball that truly stood out. The French winger transformed his role: gone was the inconsistent attacker, replaced by a pressing leader.
His ability to harass opposing defenses, intercept passes, and drive the team’s intensity made PSG suffocating in many matches, including in the Champions League. This consistent level of effort has forced opponents to adapt their game plan, as they are unable to build attacks calmly from the back.
Today, the impact is such that other clubs, like Arne Slot’s Liverpool, are observing and adopting these principles. In short, Dembélé’s pressing style, a product of Luis Enrique’s methods, has become a tactical benchmark that extends beyond Paris and influences football across Europe.
